A month of cycling to work
29 June 2008, 05:06 PM
#62
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Looks like the cannondale bad boy 700 .....
Cannondale Bad Boy 700 '08 (£669.00)
It's more a fast 'city bike / courier / street bike (so many names these days) lthough still technically deemed a hybrid
My 'hybrid' started off as below:
Specialized Sirrus Comp '08 (£649.95)
but by the time you add paniers, mudguards etc, it starts looking more like the 'workhorse' that you eventually realise you need if you want to cycle all year round on Scottish salty, potholed, fecked up roads
Cannondale Bad Boy 700 '08 (£669.00)
It's more a fast 'city bike / courier / street bike (so many names these days) lthough still technically deemed a hybrid
My 'hybrid' started off as below:
Specialized Sirrus Comp '08 (£649.95)
but by the time you add paniers, mudguards etc, it starts looking more like the 'workhorse' that you eventually realise you need if you want to cycle all year round on Scottish salty, potholed, fecked up roads
29 June 2008, 06:36 PM
#63
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My experience.
Get up an hour early.
Fit bike to rack on back of car and drive first few miles on motorway (no option).
Park in nearby pub, get kitted up, then start the six miles ride. All cycle paths, mud alongside river, some parts impossible to ride so get off and push.
Arrive at work late, usually covered in ****. Bike won't fit in lift without leaving mud everywhere, so sling it over my should for five storey hike.
No safe storage, so park bike in corner of office which means it can't be used as a meeting room any more. Not popular
Ditto on the way home, hoping it hasn't pi55ed with rain during the day and that sombody hasn't nicked my bike rack. Arrive home late, covered in mud and knackered. Then clean bike.
On a good day, the ride was a delight but usually a messy nightmare and impossible in the dark. Soon gave that up and started taking days out in the Peak District. Now that was good. Really good
Unless you're an urban commuter, cycling to work is simply impractical. And decent bikes and kit are not cheap.
Richard.
Get up an hour early.
Fit bike to rack on back of car and drive first few miles on motorway (no option).
Park in nearby pub, get kitted up, then start the six miles ride. All cycle paths, mud alongside river, some parts impossible to ride so get off and push.
Arrive at work late, usually covered in ****. Bike won't fit in lift without leaving mud everywhere, so sling it over my should for five storey hike.
No safe storage, so park bike in corner of office which means it can't be used as a meeting room any more. Not popular
Ditto on the way home, hoping it hasn't pi55ed with rain during the day and that sombody hasn't nicked my bike rack. Arrive home late, covered in mud and knackered. Then clean bike.
On a good day, the ride was a delight but usually a messy nightmare and impossible in the dark. Soon gave that up and started taking days out in the Peak District. Now that was good. Really good
Unless you're an urban commuter, cycling to work is simply impractical. And decent bikes and kit are not cheap.
Richard.
29 June 2008, 07:39 PM
#64
I am lucky really, my commute is about perfect, good distance, nice scnery and not totally urban, comapnies need to gear up for people cycling in either that or raise wages to allow for the increase in fuel, I work for Amec and they provide the showers, luckily very under used at the moment and they are putting some better ones in.
Yes, its a Bad Boy 700, due tomorrow, will see how it goes, might alternate betwen that and the Road bike, I suppose having two is quite useful as if one breaks theres a spare which avoids lame excuses !
Went out on it yesterday to see my lad play football, he was already there as the wife dropped him off but it was a right bunfight of Premium off roads trying to negotiate a busy lane with cars parked either side, it was so nice to not have to think about parking or battle my way through.
Yes, its a Bad Boy 700, due tomorrow, will see how it goes, might alternate betwen that and the Road bike, I suppose having two is quite useful as if one breaks theres a spare which avoids lame excuses !
Went out on it yesterday to see my lad play football, he was already there as the wife dropped him off but it was a right bunfight of Premium off roads trying to negotiate a busy lane with cars parked either side, it was so nice to not have to think about parking or battle my way through.
30 June 2008, 12:59 PM
#66
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Hmmmm.... you may just have found the bike I want to get through Cycle to work - thanks for that!
If i can get them organised before winter i might be able to get all the expensive lights as well
If i can get them organised before winter i might be able to get all the expensive lights as well
30 June 2008, 06:08 PM
#67
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When I used to ride big miles the painful regions weren't generally the **** but the neck.
Sort your backside out with this stuff
Assos Chamois Cream 140 ml - CycleExpress
Infact anything from Assos is usually top notch.
Keep going fella !
Sort your backside out with this stuff
Assos Chamois Cream 140 ml - CycleExpress
Infact anything from Assos is usually top notch.
Keep going fella !
30 June 2008, 08:51 PM
#68
Arghhhh, my new one arrived as I was on the way out at 7.20 am, rode in on the old one and was itching to get home to have a go, didnt fancy setting it up and straight away doing my ride to work.
Anyway, got home and set it up, first impressions were, good, size is perfect, pumped the tyres up, very agile, but I could hear a ting, ting, ting that got faster with wheel speed, bit of fiddling and spinning it round and its the bloody caliper touching a spoke, again the front wheel is out of true, just like the first one.
So, in on the old one tomorrow, and the straight back to the bike shop to see if they can true the wheel, peed off as was looking forward to going in on it.
Anyway, got home and set it up, first impressions were, good, size is perfect, pumped the tyres up, very agile, but I could hear a ting, ting, ting that got faster with wheel speed, bit of fiddling and spinning it round and its the bloody caliper touching a spoke, again the front wheel is out of true, just like the first one.
So, in on the old one tomorrow, and the straight back to the bike shop to see if they can true the wheel, peed off as was looking forward to going in on it.
30 June 2008, 10:57 PM
#69
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I'm going out for a quick ride tomorrow (on a bicycle) it'll be the first time in at least 12 years! I'll be using a 15 year old Raleigh. 
My aim is to simply burn 500 calories at a leisurely rate.
My aim is to simply burn 500 calories at a leisurely rate.
01 July 2008, 04:53 PM
#70
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I've done 20 miles today 
Not bad for my first time back on the saddle in 14 years.
A very enjoyable ride, which was made slightly more difficult by the knackered old bike only allowing me to use about 9 gears at the max! I think I'll have to look into getting a hybrid road/mountain bike type cycle.
I'm sure I'll ache tomorrow, but I'm glad I've got a comfortable sofa to rest my backside on for now
Not bad for my first time back on the saddle in 14 years.A very enjoyable ride, which was made slightly more difficult by the knackered old bike only allowing me to use about 9 gears at the max! I think I'll have to look into getting a hybrid road/mountain bike type cycle.
I'm sure I'll ache tomorrow, but I'm glad I've got a comfortable sofa to rest my backside on for now
01 July 2008, 04:58 PM
#71
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My experience.
Get up an hour early.
Fit bike to rack on back of car and drive first few miles on motorway (no option).
Park in nearby pub, get kitted up, then start the six miles ride. All cycle paths, mud alongside river, some parts impossible to ride so get off and push.
Arrive at work late, usually covered in ****. Bike won't fit in lift without leaving mud everywhere, so sling it over my should for five storey hike.
No safe storage, so park bike in corner of office which means it can't be used as a meeting room any more. Not popular
Ditto on the way home, hoping it hasn't pi55ed with rain during the day and that sombody hasn't nicked my bike rack. Arrive home late, covered in mud and knackered. Then clean bike.
On a good day, the ride was a delight but usually a messy nightmare and impossible in the dark. Soon gave that up and started taking days out in the Peak District. Now that was good. Really good
Unless you're an urban commuter, cycling to work is simply impractical. And decent bikes and kit are not cheap.
Richard.
Get up an hour early.
Fit bike to rack on back of car and drive first few miles on motorway (no option).
Park in nearby pub, get kitted up, then start the six miles ride. All cycle paths, mud alongside river, some parts impossible to ride so get off and push.
Arrive at work late, usually covered in ****. Bike won't fit in lift without leaving mud everywhere, so sling it over my should for five storey hike.
No safe storage, so park bike in corner of office which means it can't be used as a meeting room any more. Not popular
Ditto on the way home, hoping it hasn't pi55ed with rain during the day and that sombody hasn't nicked my bike rack. Arrive home late, covered in mud and knackered. Then clean bike.
On a good day, the ride was a delight but usually a messy nightmare and impossible in the dark. Soon gave that up and started taking days out in the Peak District. Now that was good. Really good
Unless you're an urban commuter, cycling to work is simply impractical. And decent bikes and kit are not cheap.
Richard.
yes a road bike with sks mudguards would negate all those problems , light s as well of course , do you actually live on top of the motorway then
and 6 miles shouldnt take 40 minutes , 20 more like - but i can understand anyone thinking it might ( mountain bikes are a con for commuting as are pyscho paths )
Last edited by dpb; 01 July 2008 at 05:03 PM.
01 July 2008, 06:39 PM
#72
My main pleasure is to be able to go in our lovely local bike shop, Royles in Wilmslow and not feel a complete fraud, its full of the wealthy but clueless thinking thay spending 5 grand on a bike and kit makes you a pro, I just go for the all weather commuter, hardcore, no nonsense cyclist angle seeing as I got wet last Thursday
01 July 2008, 07:11 PM
#74
Yes, used to go there but based on Geographic convenience its Royles, does Rick Green himself still put an appearance in ? he must be quite an old fella now, he was in his fifties when I used to go in twenty plus years ago, but always very helpful and massively knowledgeable.
02 July 2008, 10:42 AM
#77
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check out Bike Trails, Paths & Routes From Over 40 Countries at Bikely.com if you want to find a new route.
02 July 2008, 11:06 AM
#78
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check out Bike Trails, Paths & Routes From Over 40 Countries at Bikely.com if you want to find a new route.
Great site - lots of routes around me - but the blasted maps won't load (might be the 'net connection here)
Will have to try when I get back home on Friday
02 July 2008, 06:52 PM
#80
Scoobywont - Well done on the 20 miles- mean to post yesterday.
I went in my car today as I was going to the garage for a part ex price, was derisory so will keep it.
02 July 2008, 08:43 PM
#82
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02 July 2008, 09:16 PM
#83
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Nothing wrong with having more than 1 bike.I have:
A full suspension downhiller
A freeride full suspension for less extreme downhills
A full suspension cross country bike
2 hardtail cross country bike
A rigid cross country bike
A rigid singlespeed cross country bike
A roadbike for long distance work
A hybrid bike for commuting
A horrible bike for leaving in places where things might get nicked
My good lady despairs - especially as I think all of them have been modded
Cycling to work is great - gets you fit, saves money, extends your life, wakes you up and makes you work more effectively etc etc
Your Cannondale looks nice - wonder what reason I can fabricate for buying one
02 July 2008, 10:11 PM
#84
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im currently still doing only 2 days a week on my bike, i will up it to 3 days in the next week or 2, its a 11 mile round trip. i think i definatly need a new more comfortable saddle though. i am purchasing a new light tomorrow, after some advice im going for a 'cat eye' front light, supposedly very good lights
02 July 2008, 11:10 PM
#86
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yeh its fairly amazing actually. First time i dug the Look out of storage last month and rode it 10 miles the flite titanium left me feeling like id had the hottest vindaloo the night before - after a few rides in the last few weeks its as comfortable as an old armchair 
- and this is with 20 flat-spoke wheels
- and this is with 20 flat-spoke wheels
02 July 2008, 11:22 PM
#87
sorry for hyjack this thread but i have just secured a good job,only 11 miles away & was thinking about cycleing...i am quite fit but need to shift a beer gut 
looking to buy my 1st proper bike,any suggestions
looking to buy my 1st proper bike,any suggestions
02 July 2008, 11:38 PM
#88
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id go for a Pinarello opera with full chorus
- but realistically your much better going for something newly second hand from Ribble etc compact framset , reasonable grouset , mudguard eyes and pump pegs
- but realistically your much better going for something newly second hand from Ribble etc compact framset , reasonable grouset , mudguard eyes and pump pegs
Last edited by dpb; 03 July 2008 at 11:35 AM.
02 July 2008, 11:45 PM
#89
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